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DALLAS — The transformation of Baylor’s football program under coach Art Briles has been dramatic, from a bottom feeder to the 2013 Big 12 Conference champion.

Briles has a unique take on the Bears’ status as defending champions.

“How can you defend and protect something that nobody can ever take from you?” Briles said Monday at the Big 12 media day. “That title is ours. That’s our mindset with our players and that’s the way they’ve been approaching everything.

“We’re geared up and ready to go. It’s that time of year. The hiding is over. It’s time to come out of the shadows and play.”

Whether Baylor is defending the title or focused on seeking another, the Bears are loaded to make another run. Led by quarterback Bryce Petty, the Big 12 offensive player of the year, Baylor was picked second in the conference preseason poll behind Oklahoma.

“We have to learn how to prepare as the hunted as opposed to the hunter,” Briles said. “We’ve always been the hunter, and I don’t want to lose that edge and that attitude. That’s something we’re working hard to maintain.

“We still see ourselves as the guy fighting hard, scratching hard to try to get some recognition and some respect. That’s something we’re having to deal with a little bit as perception, the image of Baylor football. It’s a little different than what it has been in the past, thanks to our players.”

That includes former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III, and Baylor has another Heisman candidate in Petty, who passed for 4,200 yards and 32 touchdowns last year when Baylor went 11-2 (8-1 Big 12) and played in the Fiesta Bowl.

Baylor — which moves into the new $260 million, 45,000-seat riverfront McLane Stadium this year — averaged 618.8 yards and 52.4 points last year, and Petty offered a scary projection for opposing defenses as he is joined by All-Big 12 receiver Antwan Goodley and running back Shock Linwood.

“I think we’re more talented this year than we were last year,” Petty said. “I know that’s crazy to say, but we’re faster, more explosive and we have experience, too.”

The Bears have the ability to out-score any opponent, but they still have to play some defense.

“Last year we played great defense in the Big 12,” Briles said. “I think we had more three-and-outs than any school in America. Anytime you do that, you’ve got a pretty good chance for pretty good outcomes.”

The Bears are in position to talk about Big 12 and national championships, but they know not to get ahead of themselves.

“It’s important for us to take it one game at a time,” Petty said, “but if you don’t believe in you, who will? You have to think higher of yourself than anybody else. When you practice and prepare like that, the moment is never too big.”